“He enjoyed a reputation of being firm but always fair”

It was a very moving Funeral Mass for the late Roy St. Aubyn Archer at St George’s Anglican Church on Wed. 16th November. The church was packed and overflowed to a tent in the church grounds that was also full of mourners. Closed circuit television kept these people informed of what was happening in the church.

The mass took nearly two and a half hours to complete because of the number of tributes paid to Mr. Archer from his family and friends and because he was a retired Deputy Commissioner of Police, the RCIPS were very visibly present. An honour guard was placed beside the coffin throughout the service and police officers stood with raised ceremonial swords as Mr. Archer’s coffin was wheeled to the awaiting hearse.

Roy Archer was born on 17th February, 1931 in Woodford Park, Saint Andrew, Jamaica. He was educated in Kingston and graduated from the Kingston Technical School and immediately found employment as an aircraft mechanic. As a youngster, Roy was active in St. Matthews Anglican Church, Allman Town. He was active in various branches of the Church and also the Sea Scouts. He migrated to seek employment in the Cayman Islands in 1961 and shortly thereafter, in 1962, he was successfully recruited into the ranks of the Police Force as a Constable. His dedication and discipline led him to further training including various overseas courses followed by rapid advancement through the ranks by promotions.

Following several courses in Jamaica where Roy excelled, he was selected to undertake a higher police training course at Hendon in the UK in 1967. This was followed by advanced training at the Police College in Dishforth, UK, in 1971 sponsored by the Ministry of Overseas Development. Roy was eventually promoted to the rank of Deputy Commissioner of Police.

He enjoyed a reputation for being firm but always fair. His career approach was filled with a high sense of loyalty, duty and discipline and he represented the Cayman Islands proudly at conferences and meetings both locally and overseas. On one of these occasions he was presented with a plaque of distinction by the Chilean Branch of Interpol in 1981. He enjoyed a close relationship with the officers of the Jamaica Defense Force as well as the US Coast guard and Interpol.

He was married to Lillian on the 11th December, 1978. Roy and Lillian were among the early members to join and support the redevelopment work of the Anglican Church in the Cayman Islands and they willingly opened their home to host visiting Priests and having prayer groups gather for weekly Bible Study.

After 22 years of service to the Police, Roy retired in 1983 and in 1984 joined the Manufacturers Life Insurance Company as a Life Insurance Agent. He excelled in this career change and was pleased to share his knowledge and training with his life insurance clients, many of whom were personal friends and colleagues. He earned several awards for distinguished service and other things. He retired in 2008.

Roy was an avid cricket fan and was admitted to the Cayman Islands Cricket association Hall of Fame in 2002. He was awarded a certificate for Life Time Achievement in 2003.

Preceding him in death were his parents, William and Gladysmate and brothers, Albert and Willy. Left to mourn his passing are his loving wife Lillian, siter Thelma, Aunt Amy and children Joy, Andre, Sandra, Christine, Brenda, Dorna, Denise, Marcel and Marco. He had two nephews, one niece, 18 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.

Roy Archer passed away on Friday 4th November, 2011 at the age of 80 after a brief illness.

Officiating at the Funeral Mass was the Rt. Rev. Dr. Robert Thompson, Bishop of Kingston and Rev. Mary Graham.